Coverage percentages include both residential and business premises and is based around postcode level data. The speed available are determined by a model that reconstructs the Openreach exchange/cabinet based network, and takes into account the distance limitations of ADSL2+ and VDSL2/G.fast (FTTC) services.

The use of an independant model constructed and continually updated as the network roll-outs continue is different to the methodology used by Ofcom which is reliant on data provided by broadband providers. By running our model we are able to provide a verification for the Ofcom data and are not reliant on quarterly data releases but can update data on a daily or weekly basis as needed. The largest factor for any differences with the Ofcom analysis is down to the timing of publication.

UK Speed Test Results (Mbps)

Last Quarter
History

Any
Openreach
ADSL
FTTC
Cable
FTTH
3G/4G
Wireless
Sat

ADSL, ADSL2+, FTTC, full fibre, cable, mobile and wireless speeds

Technology:

Clean UK Mean Download Speed:

By only including speed test results we can arrive at what we call a clean figure for the UK that should exclude both poorly performing Wi-Fi based devices and those testing their broadband when diagnosing a fault. In effect this average is made up of only those scoring A or B for our quality measurement when running a test.

Q1/2019 had a mean upload speed of 8.8 Mbps.

39.5 Mbps

Estimated Maximum Mean Download Speed:

This figure is based around everyone buying the fastest product available to them based on current availability. Distance limitations of ADSL2+ and VDSL2 are factored into the calculation.

256 Mbps

Speed test results are based on the analysis of results from our speed test or partners who use our speed test service. We believe this is the largest analysis of crowd sourced speed test data for the UK and the technology splits by area help to show what the public is experiencing for the different types of services across the UK.

Increasing numbers of tests are conducted on mobile phones and tablets over Wi-Fi, and in Q4 2018 48.7% of the tests recorded were carried out using a PC (36.6 Mbps mean download), 36.7% on a mobile phone (31 Mbps mean download) and 14.6% on a tablet (25.8 Mbps mean download).

National Superfast Picture

Over 24 Mbps UK definition

Over 30 Mbps EU definition

Generated: 23-05-2019

UK 95.7%

England 96.2%

Northern Ireland 88.6%

Scotland 93.6%

Wales 94.7%

The generated date is when coverage was at the figures quoted. There is a small amount of lag between broadband infrastructure providers making services available and appearing in the statistics. For VDSL2/FTTC services this is around 2 to 4 weeks, and for FTTP (full fibre) a further couple of weeks should be allowed. If you have a service available and our searches do not indicate it is do feel free to report an addition.

We aim to update the coverage percentages weekly, with the underlying service availability for postcode searches changing several times in a week.

The Governments 95% superfast target is based on the over 24 Mbps definition for superfast services.

The labs.thinkbroadband.com/local site provides broadband coverage statistics, availability checker, maps and additionally speeds as recorded by the public and is produced by thinkbroadband.

Update June 2017: Technology Split figures are based on the proportions of speed tests seen using the various technologies over the period of a quarter. The figures while not being absolute will provide a good idea of the relative popularity of different options in an area, e.g. an area with high cable take-up is likely to have a higher speed average. It also helps to highlight areas where wireless and satellite broadband is popular.

Speed test results are based on analysis of the tests carried out by the public using speed test web apps that we operate e.g. www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest which are analysed every month for postcodes, and quarterly to give the results for the councils and constituences across the UK.

Where Fibre is talked about this refers to fibre based broadband which encompasses VDSL2, FTTC, FTTN, G.fast, cable broadband, FTTH and FTTB.

Superfast broadband coverage figures is a subset of the fibre based figures as it adds a speed qualifer of 24 Mbps or 30 Mbps.

Cable coverage figures represent Virgin Media coverage which is updated quarterly, and is included in the superfast and fibre based figures.

Historical plots show how coverage is changing over time and may even drop sometimes as new build premises are added every few months.

Historial coverage data for the Parliamentary constituencies starts in March 2015.

Historial coverage data for the Regions and Local Authorities across the UK starts has been calculated back to the start of 2010.

For areas that have seen a rapid rise in faster broadband availability the speed test results will lag because the actual speed tests rely on people having ordered and having the test installed.

For national, regional, local authority and constituency speed test results within the specific area from the previous quarter are used.

If an area has availability of superfast services but speed tests do not show the full speed possible it may be because people are opting for a slower product, or the fast service has only recently arrived.

Postcode look ups for fixed wireless services are based on analysis of geographic areas supplied by providers and service cannot be guaranteed until a site survey has been carried out in many cases.

The UK has two definitions of superfast, our default is to show coverage at a speed of 30 Mbps or faster. The coverage level will improve when the lower 24 Mbps (as defined by many broadband projects) and is generally shown in the foot notes.

We do our best to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, but if you spot an error email us with details team@thinkbroadband.com

If you wish to make commercial use of the broadband checker data which is independent of Ofcom and others get in touch.

Coverage analysis currently includes Openreach, Virgin Media and KC data, once BDUK Phase 1 completes we will integrate other providers data into the coverage percentages since the Phase 2 projects encompass a wider range of providers.

USC - Universal Service Commitment, the phase 1 of the BDUK roll-out contained a commitment to deliver 2 Mbps for all.

USO - Universal Service Obligation is a proposal from the UK Government with a definition of 10 Mbps and is due to be a legal right by 2020.

How to use the embeddable graphics

We provide a mini set of this page which can be embedded into your own site rather so you can share your broadband coverage progress towards the various Government and local authority targets, or just how speeds are changing over time.

The default share button includes a pre-defined set of options but you can alter these. The valid options are:

coverage: When set to 1 the superfast coverage details will be displayed, any other value and the chart is hidden.

speed: When set to 1 the quarterly speed test results details will be displayed, any other value and the chart is hidden.

buttons: If set to 1 then buttons to allow people to flip between current and historical values are displayed.

history: If set to 1 we will default to showing the historical trend graphs.

area: You should only use the area parameters obtained by the share button.

footnotes: Set to 1 to show 24 Mbps and other USC figures under coverage chart.

An example url where we are only displaying current coverage for Devon is: